California to Nevada Moving Guide
Updated June 15, 2025

Planning a 424 mile interstate move from California to Nevada? This moving guide will help you compare living in California vs Nevada across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Sourdough Bread vs Shrimp Cocktail), real estate & housing (spanish & modern vs ranch & contemporary), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in California), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Sourdough Bread and Tri-tip BBQ, but get your taste buds ready for Shrimp Cocktail & Prime Rib
- Nevada housing costs are 45% less expensive than they are in California
- Rent in Nevada is 36.29% more affordable than in California
- Moving from California to Nevada will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended California to Nevada movers is Anytime Anywhere Piano & Moving Co.
California to Nevada Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from California to Nevada
- High cost of living
- Heavy traffic
- Severe droughts
- High taxes
- Earthquake risks
- Lower cost of living
- Less congestion
- Reliable water supply
- No state income tax
- Few natural disasters
- Landlocked
- Less diversity
- Fewer tech jobs
- Hot summers
- Limited wineries
- Coastal access
- Diverse cultures
- Thriving tech industry
- Moderate climate
- Famous wine regions
Pros of moving from California to Nevada
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to the lower cost of living
- Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to Nevada with less congestion
- Swap the severe droughts of California for a reliable water supply in Nevada
- Get ready for no state income tax in Nevada
Cons of moving from California to Nevada
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from coastal access in California to live with being landlocked in Nevada
- You'll lose out on the pro of diverse cultures and have to settle for the con of less diversity
- Time to bid farewell to a thriving tech industry and get used to fewer tech jobs in Nevada
- Swap a moderate climate for hot summers
California vs. Nevada: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | California | Nevada |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Sourdough Bread | Shrimp Cocktail |
Most popular meat dish | Tri-tip BBQ | Prime Rib |
Most popular street food item | Fish Tacos | Street Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Avocado Toast | Vegan Burger |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from California to Nevada, you will be trading the iconic Sourdough Bread of California for the equally delicious Shrimp Cocktail of Nevada. And while the locals in California rave about their flavorful Tri-tip BBQ and sumptuous Fish Tacos, Nevada residents know they have tasty Prime Rib and Street Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Avocado Toast they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Burger of Nevada. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic California eateries like Chez Panisse, In-N-Out Burger, and The French Laundry. After the boxes are unpacked in Nevada, don't wait too long before making your way to Nevada's acclaimed eateries like Bacchanal Buffet, Romanza, and JoΓ«l Robuchon.
When comparing lifestyles, Nevada shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than California. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Nevada, compared to what you are used to in California. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Nevada.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between California and Nevada
Comparison | California | Nevada |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Spanish & Modern | Ranch & Contemporary |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to the coast, eco-friendly features | Access to entertainment, spacious lots |
- The Spanish and Modern architecture that California is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Contemporary architecture typical of Nevada.
- Compared to California's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to the coast and eco-friendly features, Nevada real estate listings often highlight features like access to entertainment and spacious lots.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Nevada is less walkable than California.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Nevada is less bike-friendly than California.
- Nevada has less of an urban feel than California.
- Nevada housing costs are 45% less expensive than they are in California, with a median home price of $432,764 compared to Californiaβs $783,666.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Nevada have increased 44% compared to a 42% increase in California.
- Rent in Nevada is 36.29% more affordable than in California.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between California and Nevada
Comparison | California | Nevada |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Earthquakes, Wildfires | Earthquakes, Wildfires |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F/59Β°F | 94Β°F/69Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 68Β°F/48Β°F | 57Β°F/28Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 22 | 10 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 7 | 21.8 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from California to Nevada. Nevada gets 11% fewer sunshine days than California.
- Nevada has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to California.
- Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and wildfires in California, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and wildfires in Nevada.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Nevada is 9 degrees warmer than California.
- The average winter lows are 20 degrees colder than they are in California.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Nevada. Nevada receives 12 fewer inches of rain compared to California.
Financial & Community Snapshot: California and Nevada
Comparison | California | Nevada |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $91,551 | $72,333 |
Cost of Living Index | 136.4 | 101.5 |
State Income Tax | 1% - 13.3% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.73% | 0.60% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.25% | 6.85% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture | Tourism, Mining, Healthcare |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | High | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Nevada tend to earn about 21% less than in California
- The COLI in Nevada will be 26% lower than what you are used to living in California
- Hooray, moving to NV means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in Nevada is moderate compared to high in California
- The poverty level is moderate in Nevada compared to moderate in California
- In terms of homelessness, it is high in California and low in Nevada
Political and Religious Climate in California vs. Nevada
Comparison | California | Nevada |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal, Democratic stronghold | Swing state, politically diverse |
Local Politics | Progressive policies in urban areas | Mixture of conservative and liberal local governments |
Religion | More secular, diverse religions | Christian majority, but also diverse |
- California tends to lean Liberal, a Democratic stronghold in its political climate
- Nevada, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state, politically diverse
- Nevada's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority, but also diverse
- California's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as more secular with diverse religions
Education Guide When Moving from California to Nevada
Comparison | California | Nevada |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | UCLA UC Berkeley Stanford University | UNLV University of Nevada Reno Nevada State College |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Point Vicente Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita; Reed School Tiburon; Old Orchard Elementary School Valencia | John Vanderburg Elementary School Henderson; Coral Academy of Science Elementary School Reno; Elise L. Wolff Elementary Henderson |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Museum School San Diego; High Tech LA Van Nuys; The Nueva School Hillsborough | Bob Miller Middle School Henderson; Pine Middle School Reno; Hyde Park Middle School Las Vegas |
Top 3 High School Schools | California Academy of Mathematics and Science Carson; Henry M. Gunn High School Palo Alto; Troy High School Fullerton | The Davidson Academy Reno; Advanced Technologies Academy Las Vegas; Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas Henderson |
Top 3 private high schools | Harvard-Westlake School Los Angeles; Stanford Online High School Stanford; The Thacher School Ojai | The Meadows School Las Vegas; Sage Ridge School Reno; Bishop Gorman High School Las Vegas |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Castilleja School Palo Alto; The Harker School San Jose; Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences Santa Monica | Lake Mead Christian Academy Henderson; Faith Lutheran Middle School & High School Las Vegas; The Meadows School Las Vegas |
Top 3 School Districts | Palo Alto Unified School District; San Marino Unified School District; La CaΓ±ada Unified School District | Clark County School District; Washoe County School District; Elko County School District |
How Much Do California to Nevada Movers Cost?
Moving 424 miles from California to Nevada will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Anytime Anywhere Piano & Moving Co.
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,443 | 300 ft3 | $4.81 |
1 Bedroom | $2,142 | 450 ft3 | $4.76 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,532 | 750 ft3 | $4.71 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,125 | 1100 ft3 | $4.66 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,375 | 1600 ft3 | $4.61 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,207 | 1800 ft3 | $4.56 |
Top California to Nevada Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best California to Nevada movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Anytime Anywhere Piano & Moving Co.
Best moving company overall for California to Nevada